In this episode, Dr. Di Pietro—an aerospace engineer and innovator with nearly two decades of global experience—shares how his early fascination with flight and a career spanning defense, automotive, and autonomous vehicle technologies led him to the forefront of advanced air mobility.
He discusses AMSL Aero’s mission to build Vertia, a hydrogen-electric tilt-wing eVTOL designed to connect Australia’s far-flung regions while dramatically cutting aviation emissions. Unlike most eVTOL developers focused on urban air taxis, AMSL’s emphasis is on long-range, zero-emission regional flight—addressing Australia’s unique geography and the essential role aviation plays in delivering healthcare, freight, and connectivity to remote areas.
The conversation explores how hydrogen power unlocks range and efficiency, AMSL’s roadmap toward type certification and a 2030 commercial launch, and the company’s collaboration with international partners and the Australian government to develop the hydrogen ecosystem.
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In this episode, Dr. Di Pietro—an aerospace engineer and innovator with nearly two decades of global experience—shares how his early fascination with flight and a career spanning defense, automotive, and autonomous vehicle technologies led him to the forefront of advanced air mobility.
He discusses AMSL Aero’s mission to build Vertia, a hydrogen-electric tilt-wing eVTOL designed to connect Australia’s far-flung regions while dramatically cutting aviation emissions. Unlike most eVTOL developers focused on urban air taxis, AMSL’s emphasis is on long-range, zero-emission regional flight—addressing Australia’s unique geography and the essential role aviation plays in delivering healthcare, freight, and connectivity to remote areas.
The conversation explores how hydrogen power unlocks range and efficiency, AMSL’s roadmap toward type certification and a 2030 commercial launch, and the company’s collaboration with international partners and the Australian government to develop the hydrogen ecosystem.
Episode 192: Jakob Saalfrank, Founder and CEO of Grasshopper Air Mobility
The eVTOL Insights Podcast
44 minutes 42 seconds
1 month ago
Episode 192: Jakob Saalfrank, Founder and CEO of Grasshopper Air Mobility
In this episode, Jakob shares his journey from working in logistics and warehouse automation to founding Grasshopper Air Mobility in 2023, driven by a vision for sustainable, autonomous aerial mobility.
Initially inspired by flying cars for commuters, he and his team pivoted to cargo operations after recognizing the steep certification costs and barriers facing passenger eVTOLs.
Jakob reflects on key industry lessons and the company's strategy to leverage off-the-shelf, certified components rather than developing everything in-house. The company is firmly committed to sustainability, with a focus on electric and hybrid-hydrogen propulsion and ultra-quiet ducted fan technology.
Looking ahead, Grasshopper is targeting certification between 2030–2031, with scaled prototypes beginning as early as 2026. Jakob also discusses the challenges of regulation, infrastructure integration, funding, and the importance of public acceptance for advanced air mobility to succeed globally.
The eVTOL Insights Podcast
In this episode, Dr. Di Pietro—an aerospace engineer and innovator with nearly two decades of global experience—shares how his early fascination with flight and a career spanning defense, automotive, and autonomous vehicle technologies led him to the forefront of advanced air mobility.
He discusses AMSL Aero’s mission to build Vertia, a hydrogen-electric tilt-wing eVTOL designed to connect Australia’s far-flung regions while dramatically cutting aviation emissions. Unlike most eVTOL developers focused on urban air taxis, AMSL’s emphasis is on long-range, zero-emission regional flight—addressing Australia’s unique geography and the essential role aviation plays in delivering healthcare, freight, and connectivity to remote areas.
The conversation explores how hydrogen power unlocks range and efficiency, AMSL’s roadmap toward type certification and a 2030 commercial launch, and the company’s collaboration with international partners and the Australian government to develop the hydrogen ecosystem.
